Breadcrumb

Queen’s has reopened and it’s back to work and school today for those of us here at the University. And what better way to celebrate the end of the holiday season, than with…another party! Some dear friends, the Weatheralls, have invited us to their Twelfth Night dinner, which takes place about twelve nights after Christmas, and this year’s celebration is tonight.

Every eight years, each Canadian medical school must earn accreditation in order to maintain its status. It is a peer-review process that is designed to ensure that medical students are receiving high quality education that meets the standards set across North America.

On Friday, Globe and Mail reporter Kelly Grant discussed the Québec Government’s recent proposition to limit In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to women over age 42.1 Since 2010, Québec has been the only province, and one of the few jurisdictions worldwide, to fund IVF. Not only are they proposing to end IVF funding, the Québec government is proposing to fine doctors who facilitate IVF for older women. This would restrict access to IVF for women over age 42, even if they want to self-fund, and even if they want to avail themselves of the use of eggs from younger donors.

This year, I was introduced to the idea of Giving Tuesday. It’s a simple idea, one that is timed to fall four days after Black Friday, and it captures what I’d venture to say is the real ‘spirit’ of the season. Calling it the ‘opening day of the giving season’ (whereas Black Friday opens the ‘shopping season’), Giving Tuesday calls itself a global movement of individuals and organizations that believe that everyone whether a large or small donor has a role in helping solve challenges at a local and global level.1

Monday was an extraordinary day at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum in Toronto, and not just because we had a sold-out crowd of over 500 delegates. To open the day’s events, Minister Ambrose and Michael Burns announced that Health Canada and the True Patriot Love Foundation would each commit $5M to in funding to the institute. To end the day, Kelly Williams from General Dynamics announced that the company would be donating a further $500,000.

I am thrilled to announce that the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) has developed and will lead an international clinical trial of a new class of cancer drug aimed at curing lung cancer in patients who have had surgery and chemotherapy for disease confined to the lung. This research contract with AstraZeneca is the largest in the history of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our ongoing efforts in the NCIC CTG serve to reinforce our FHS industry engagement strategy, which strives to fortify existing relationships with industry and to promote and develop new ones.

For years, researchers have looked at mental illness and the possible link to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have established links between depression, anxiety and psychotic disorders and a heightened risk of coronary heart disease. In 2013, a study published in Circulation widened the scope to include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, neurotic disorder, personality disorders and substance-use disorders.1

This week we mourn the deaths of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo (left) and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent (right). These two senseless deaths have gripped the country and provoked a national sense of sadness and alarm. In particular, the death of Cpl. Cirillo, gunned down while he was standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa has sparked concern that Canada was under attack from an Islamist extremist organization. Indeed, the tragedy has been labelled a terrorist attack by some.1

I always look forward to homecoming weekend, and the opportunity to meet alumni and hear their stories. At this year’s homecoming, we hosted Faculty of Health Sciences alumni going all the way back to 1954!

It was a special joy this year to be welcoming one of my favourite teachers, Dr. Robert Stone, who has been a friend and mentor for many years. When Bob and his wife Mary came back to Kingston this weekend, Cheryl and I had the chance to spend some time with them, and attend the Tricolour Guard dinner together.

As dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, I have the good fortune of meeting many remarkable people. Dr. Duncan Sinclair is one of those remarkable people who I am proud to know. And so, it is my pleasure to announce that this past week, Duncan was named a 2015 inductee to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame1. Duncan will be formally inducted at ceremony in Winnipeg on April 23, 2015.